[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 73 (Friday, May 21, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6107-S6108]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 112--SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF 
                 NATIONAL PURPLE HEART RECOGNITION DAY

  Mrs. CLINTON (for herself and Mr. Hagel) submitting the following 
concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed 
Services:

                            S. Con. Res. 112

       Whereas the Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration 
     in the world in present use;
       Whereas the Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the 
     President of the United States to members of the Armed Forces 
     who are wounded in conflict with an enemy force or are 
     wounded while held by an enemy force as prisoners of war, and 
     posthumously to the next of kin of members of the Armed 
     Forces who are killed in conflict with an enemy force or who 
     die of a wound received in conflict with an enemy force;
       Whereas the Purple Heart was established on August 7, 1782, 
     during the Revolutionary War, when General George Washington 
     issued an order establishing the Honorary Badge of 
     Distinction, otherwise known as the Badge of Military Merit;
       Whereas the award of the Purple Heart ceased with the end 
     of the Revolutionary War, but was revived in 1932, the 200th 
     anniversary of George Washington's birth, out of respect for 
     his memory and military achievements; and
       Whereas National Purple Heart Recognition Day is a fitting 
     tribute to George Washington and to the more than 1,535,000 
     recipients of the Purple Heart, approximately 550,000 of whom 
     are still living: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Purple Heart 
     Recognition Day;
       (2) encourages all people of the United States to learn 
     about the history of the Purple Heart and to honor its 
     recipients; and
       (3) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
     calling on the people of the United States to conduct 
     appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs to 
     demonstrate support for people who have been awarded the 
     Purple Heart.

[[Page S6108]]

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 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 113--RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY 
DIAGNOSIS, PROPER TREATMENT, AND ENHANCED PUBLIC AWARENESS OF TOURETTE 
   SYNDROME AND SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL TOURETTE 
                        SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH

  Mr. SMITH (for himself and Mr. Durbin) submitted the following 
concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the 
Judiciary:

                            S. Con. Res. 113

       Whereas Tourette Syndrome is an inherited neurological 
     disorder characterized by involuntary and sudden movements or 
     repeated vocalizations;
       Whereas approximately 200,000 people in the United States 
     have been diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome and many thousands 
     more remain undiagnosed;
       Whereas lack of public awareness has increased the social 
     stigma attached to Tourette Syndrome;
       Whereas early diagnosis and treatment of Tourette Syndrome 
     can prevent physical and psychological harm;
       Whereas there is no known cure for Tourette Syndrome and 
     treatment involves multiple medications and therapies with 
     costs that can be prohibitive;
       Whereas the Tourette Syndrome Association is the only 
     national nonprofit membership organization dedicated to 
     identifying the cause, finding the cure, and controlling the 
     effects of Tourette Syndrome; and
       Whereas the Tourette Syndrome Association has designated 
     May 15 through June 15 as National Tourette Syndrome 
     Awareness Month, the goal of which is to educate the public 
     about the nature and effects of Tourette Syndrome: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) recognizes the impact that Tourette Syndrome can have 
     on people living with the disorder;
       (2) recognizes the importance of an early diagnosis and 
     proper treatment of Tourette Syndrome;
       (3) recognizes the need for enhanced public awareness of 
     Tourette Syndrome;
       (4) supports the goals and ideals of National Tourette 
     Syndrome Awareness Month, as designated by the Tourette 
     Syndrome Association; and
       (5) encourages the President to issue a proclamation 
     calling on the people of the United States and interested 
     organizations to observe National Tourette Syndrome Awareness 
     Month.

  Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to submit a resolution 
recognizing National Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month. This resolution 
recognizes the importance of an early and accurate diagnosis, proper 
treatment for Tourette Syndrome and is intended to raise public 
awareness about the disorder. I am pleased to be joined today by my 
colleague from Illinois, Senator Durbin, in offering this resolution.
  Tourette Syndrome, or TS, is an inherited, neurobiological disorder 
that affects children of all racial and ethnic groups. The symptoms of 
TS are rapid, repeated, involuntary movements, and sounds called tics. 
In a large percentage of cases, TS is accompanied by other disorders, 
the most common of which are Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Attention 
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and nonverbal Learning Disabilities.
  An estimated 200,000 Americans have substantially impairing TS and 
many more have milder symptoms of the disorder. Many endure the stigma, 
isolation, and psychological impact associated with this chronic 
disorder. There is, unfortunately, no cure for TS, although some 
individuals benefit from a reduction in symptoms from medication or 
other clinical treatments.
  In my State of Oregon, approximately 600 individuals are affected by 
Tourette Syndrome. While the Oregon chapter of the Tourette Syndrome 
Association, TSA, serves as an outstanding resource for information, it 
constantly faces the challenge of fulfilling its mission in a large, 
mostly rural State. TSA of Oregon currently operates a support group in 
the Portland area, and it is emerging as a useful source for families 
and provides leadership within the community. I would like to commend 
TSA of Oregon and thank them for their outstanding work.
  Designating the month of June as the National Tourette Syndrome 
Awareness Month gives everyone an opportunity to familiarize themselves 
with TS and to better understand the impact that TS has on people 
living with the disorder. Additionally, it recognizes the importance of 
early diagnosis and receiving proper treatment. I urge my colleagues to 
support this resolution.

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